Diabetic Eye Care and Macular Degeneration at Advanced Sight Center.
Diabetes often causes damage to small blood vessels throughout the body, including the eye. Damage to the eye is most commonly seen in the retina, the delicate tissue that lines the back of the inside of the eye. The retina receives light and transmits visual information to the brain, much like the film in a camera. If you have diabetes, it is very important that you receive regular eye exams to make sure your vision is healthy. Dr. Howard N. Short and Dr. Chris R. Ullrich at Advanced Sight Center are board-certified ophthalmologists who use today’s most innovative diagnostic exams to pinpoint diabetic eye disease early, when treatment is most effective.
Diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy is the medical term for a deterioration of the blood vessels of the retina. This condition usually occurs in both eyes and is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. As the name implies, the disease is commonly found among people who have diabetes. Plus, people with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to develop glaucoma or a cataract. In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy presents few to no symptoms. There may be a slight decrease in the clarity of vision, but, in many cases, vision appears to remain quite good. This makes it essential that diabetic changes be detected by a complete, dilated-eye examination. As the disease progresses, or if bleeding occurs, vision may become very cloudy or blurred.
Treating diabetic retinopathy.
When leaking blood vessels occur, they can be treated with advanced laser technology that destroys or seals these abnormal vessels. Laser treatment is often helpful in lowering the risk of future vision loss. In more advanced retinopathy, or if bleeding into the vitreous occurs, a surgical procedure called a vitrectomy may be necessary. For patients who require specialized care for diabetic retinopathy, the doctors of the Advanced Sight Center will refer you to our board-certified retinal specialists, Drs. Olk and Peralta.
For more information about diabetic eye disease or to schedule your personal appointment, call Advanced Sight Center today.
Please visit our Patient Education Library to read more about Diabetic Eye Care.